Flags of convenience

Nigel Farage is a showman who calls himself a patriot but betrays the good that Britain stands for

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At a meeting of the European parliament in 2005, Tony Blair turned on a younger Nigel Farage, surrounded by Ukip MEPs, each with a little union jack perched on their desk. "Let me just tell you, sir, and your colleagues, you sit with our country's flag, you do not represent our country's interests." It is even more true today, 20 years on.

Last week, Farage went to Washington and talked down the UK, likening the country to North Korea. The comparison shouldn't be ignored just because it was puerile and condescending, nor because it shows how gleefully he exploits the free ride he's given by so much of the press, nor because his sucking up to Donald Trump is so obvious and cringeworthy.